Zaha Hadid Architects have designed two prototype villas for a site overlooking the historic town of Dubrovnik in Croatia.

The concepts, named "Rock" (top) and "Shell" (above), have been developed to help define the architectural style of the resort, which will eventually consist of 400 villas plus hotels and a golf course.

The brief called for the design of two prototype Villas for a new Golf and Spa Resort in Croatia overlooking the old town of Dubrovnik. The total development comprises 400 villas, two 5* hotels, luxury apartments, retail facilities, a spa and an 18 hole golf course including a golf resort club house.

A recently developed master plan determines the perimeter and size of the parcels, which range from 12,000m2 to 20,000m2. The site of the prototype villas is located at the edge of the plateau with picturesque views. The prototype villas shall define the overall architectural design of the resort.

Site

The area of development is located north of Dubrovnik, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The land comprises 430 hectare and is located on a high plateau approximately 300m to 400m above sea level, north of the old town of Dubrovnik.

At the southern edge of the project site, the terrain slopes steeply towards the sea. The terrain also slightly slopes from west to east. The elevated level of the site allows for magnificent views in all directions.

Towards south the owner will enjoy sea views and views of the old town of Dubrovnik. In north direction one can enjoy picturesque mountain and landscape views.

Design Concept Option Rock

Zaha Hadid Architects architectural proposal is a distinct and unique structure with a strong sense of identity and character.

It has a highly expressive, sculptural quality, infused with a sense of light and space. Light and views are the driving forces of the house.

Above: Rock - site plan. Click for larger image

The design is inspired by the Croatian karst topography. Typical karst elements such as sharp-edged cliffs, caves, dolines and sinkholes are adopted by our design.

Above: Rock - level -1. Click for larger image

Metaphorically speaking, the structure appears like a rock, which is partly sunken into the ground.

Above: Rock - level 0. Click for larger image

The seven bedroom house is designed as a three-level structure keeping the buildings profile low in sympathy to the surrounding landscaping and the old town of Dubrovnik.

Above: Rock - level 1. Click for larger image

The building is positioned at the very edge of the slope to take full advantage of the views. The park and garden area to the north will be used as recreation area and buffer zone to the existing village and the semi-public road.

Above: Rock - roof plan. Click for larger image

Design Concept Option Shell

Zaha Hadid Architects design offers long views internally and engages with the surrounding landscape. The prototype for this luxurious private residence has been developed in response to the programme, the landscape and the views.

Above: Rock - section. Click for larger image

The house was designed to be light and spacious with sliding doors giving access to external terraces and courtyards.

Above: Shell - site plan. Click for larger image

The private residence elongated curvilinear building shape is inspired by shell structures as they are found along the Croatian Coastline.

Above: Shell - level -1. Click for larger image

The seven bedroom house is designed as a three-level structure keeping the buildings profile low in sympathy to the surrounding landscaping and the old town of Dubrovnik.

Above: Shell - level 0. Click for larger image

The building is positioned at the very edge of the slope to take full advantage of the views. The park and garden area to the north will be used as recreation area and buffer zone to the existing village and the semi-public road.

UNESCO has something to say, and it will at Doha.
Games without borders of villas and golf resorts actually have some.

First, there are more than 10.000 Dubrovnik citizens which don’t want to give away Srđ. That number is bigger than the mayor’s votes at the last elections. But Croatian rules are awkward about that. For state referendum one vote is enough, but for some local referendum there must be more than 50 percent of voters to make it valid. Fair play?

Libertas has written on the Dubrovnik flag. All freedom for investors, nothing for local native Indians tribes? Zaha’s shiny jewellery is not enough in exchange?

Zaha’s work is like instant soup. It can be marvellous and modern, but it doesn’t always fit your needs. Zaha’s work is Zaha’s marker, not the landscape marker like Zumthor’s.

Plastic without soul, just loud and shiny. Four hundred of them. Ridiculous and incredible proposal for that place. And UNESCO doesn’t like that approach too. Read more:http://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/2827

Giulio

Awful oysters. Zaha Hadid Architects makes the world a worse place.

Petr Štefek

Privatisation of the last European paradise.

Conqueror

Zaha Hadid go home! Croatians do not want your artificial plastic design! Dubrovnik, Split and other coastal and island towns of Croatia have 2000 years of history and tradition in architecture, we don’t want strangers to build plastic artificial “villas”.

We use natural materials like famous local white stone from our karst, and we respect our 2,000 (two thousand!) years of culture and tradition! And we want our nature to be preserved and not ruined by plastic architecture.